Cancer Immunology and Biotechnology MSc

Students will gain an in-depth understanding of normal cell regulatory mechanisms and how these are altered during the carcinogenic process.

This module focuses on the commercialism of research with lectures also on intellectual property. Invited speakers from the industry will contribute to this module.

Students will learn how to write a business plan on a cancer immunotherapy concept. You'll work in groups to represent individuals in a company and develop your own novel concept and create a business plan.

This module gives students information on cancer vaccines. Topics include: what makes a good vaccine; different vaccine designs; animal models and immunological techniques. This module will cover subjects that have been introduced on the tumour immunology module in more depth.

Students will also cover the generation of monoclonal antibodies, clinical trials involving antibodies and the future uses of antibody therapy in cancer prevention.

This module will give students an understanding of the principles underlying the design and analysis of epidemiological studies and clinical trials.

Students will use a range of statistical sources in clinical research, and use these to describe and explain concepts fundamental to clinical research of all kinds. They will also learn to describe, interpret and appraise the applicability of statistical methods in a wide range of clinical and biological research.

This module is assessed by a 1500-2000 word report (30%) and a one hour exam consisting of multiple-choice and short answer questions (70%). 

This module highlights the current understanding of the immunobiology of tumours. This will include the following topics: immunosurveillance, tumour resistance, regulatory T cells. antigenic targets, cytokine therapy, non-specific immunity and animal models.

This module enables students to experience contemporary research methods by engaging them to design a research programme and perform experiments, surveys, or other research activities aimed at solving a specific biomedical problem.

Each student will be allocated an academic supervisor with whom they will discuss the research project prior to commencement. Students will first collect, analyse data, read and collate previous results relevant to their project, then embark on a period of research before preparing, writing and submitting a scientific paper. They will write a clear and concise report and will discuss their work with academic members during an oral presentation.

The form of project may vary and it will be based on laboratory work, audit, patient studies or an extended literature review. The principal activities will be completion of the practical work and submission of a final report in the form of a dissertation and presentation.

The module will cover innate and adaptive immune development and processes and cancer therapies mapping on to these. Teaching will enable students to describe the immune system in relation to tumours and then identify how the immune system can be used to develop novel cancer therapies.